‘Upcoming BRET Office of Career Development Events’
ASPIRE UP: Understanding Faculty Roles & the Job Search
Mar. 18, 2026—Finding the right fit: understanding faculty roles at US institutions and overview of the faculty job search process Do you know the different types of academic faculty positions that are available in the U.S.? What skills do you need for each type? What type of faculty position is right for you? Join Kathy Gould, Ph.D,...
ASPIRE UP: Resumes & Industry CVs
Jan. 13, 2026—ASPIRE Up: Resumes & Industry CVs will take place on Thursday, April 23rd at 11:00 AM in Light Hall 407. This session will be led by Kim Petrie, PhD, Director of the ASPIRE Program and Assistant Dean for Biomedical Career Development. In this session, we will discuss the differences between CVs and resumes, when to...
2025-2026 ASPIRE Up Events
Aug. 26, 2025—More information on the events can be found here. For questions please reach out to Mary Gray (Mary.g.lindstrom@vanderbilt.edu).
PhD Career Stories: Project Management
Aug. 21, 2025—Join us for our 2025-2026 PhD Career Stories seminar series kickoff on Friday, September 12, at 10:00am, Light Hall 214. Ashley A. Able, PhD Scientific Project Manager, Natera Lakshmi Sundararajan, PhD Senior Project Manager, Research and Technical Operations, Astellas Gene Therapies SIGN-UP HERE! BIOS Dr. Lakshmi Sundararajan earned her Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental...
Launching Your Lab Vision: Writing the Research Statement
Aug. 5, 2025— Writing your research statement is a critical component of the faculty application process. Not only does it give hiring committees insight into your scientific vision and independence, but it also gives you the opportunity to think strategically and clearly about your future research laboratory. Join us for a two-part Faculty Research Statement Workshop designed...
PhD Career Stories: Government Research with Efrain Garcia, PhD
Nov. 20, 2024—PhD Career Stories: Government Research with Efrain Garcia, PhD Thursday, December 5 10:00am Register for the Zoom link here! Dr. Efrain Garcia, PhD, is a Health Scientist/Project Officer at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). His duties include overseeing and managing various multi-million...
PhD Career Stories: Medical Affairs / Medical Science Liaison panel with Dr. Casey Butrico and Dr. Todd Townsend
Oct. 15, 2024—Join us Friday, November 8, 10am in Light Hall 208 for career journey of two of our alumni, Dr. Casey Butrico and Dr. Todd Townsend. PhD Career Stories: Medical Affairs / Medical Science Liaison Friday, November 8 10:00am Light Hall 208 Registration requested. Casey Butrico, PhD, is a Scientific Affairs Manager at Kuros Biosciences, a...
Merck Showcase: an Info Session with Virtual Speakers and an In-Person Discussion
Aug. 28, 2024—Join us on Friday, September 20, in Light Hall 419, for an in-person information session with host and alumnus Dave Westover, PhD, who will be virtually hosting other colleagues at Merck who will describe their team and the work they do there. Attend all or some sessions throughout the two hours. Come and go as...
PhD Career Stories: Industry Science with Dave Westover, PhD
Aug. 28, 2024— Join us on Friday, September 20, at 10am in Light Hall 214 to learn more about alumnus Dave Westover, PhD, a Senior Scientist, Analytical Research and Development, at Merck. Registration requested for this event. During his visit to Vanderbilt, Dr. Westover will be choosing six trainees to meet individually for a 20-minute one-on-one visit...
ASPIRE Workshop on Preparing for a Faculty Career and Job Search
Jun. 24, 2024—This ASPIRE workshop is for postdocs and late-stage grad students in the biomedical and life sciences who are interested in faculty careers. The full day event will feature interactive sessions and panel discussions with current faculty on topics ranging from exploring faculty roles, to interviewing for faculty jobs. Advanced registration is requested. Participants may register for the...
2021 ASPIRE Career Symposium: Writing Panel
Apr. 7, 2021— It’s time for the 2021 ASPIRE Annual Career Symposium: Careers for the Citizen Scientist! WRITING PANEL Friday, May 7 3:00-4:00pm CST Zoom Webinar Register for Writing Panel Dr. Christopher Arnette, PhD, Developmental Editor for Current Protocols, Wiley Dr. Christopher Arnette received his PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from Vanderbilt University with Dr. Irina Kaverina. His...
ASPIRE Cafe for Postdoctoral Fellows
Aug. 14, 2019—Explore topics in career development and professionalism. The ASPIRE Cafe for Postdoctoral Fellows is a seminar series featuring career development and professionalism topics curated specifically to help postdoctoral fellows maximize their training and successfully transition to their next career stage. All past session handouts can be found via the special Vanderbilt Box ASPIRE Cafe folder....
Apply now for the 2018 Federal STEM Policy & Advocacy: An Inside the Beltway Look
Aug. 2, 2018—If you’re interested in a career in science policy, you won’t want to miss this unique opportunity to participate in an expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. for Federal STEM Policy and Advocacy: An Inside the Beltway Look. Federal STEM Policy & Advocacy: An Inside the Beltway Look October 18-19, 2018 Washington, D.C. Hosted by the Vanderbilt University Office...
BCG is coming to Vanderbilt for advanced degree candidates
Jun. 20, 2018—Join us for an Employer Informational Session featuring management consulting group BCG (Boston Consulting Group) on Tuesday, June 26, 4:00pm, in Light Hall 202. Registration strongly recommended. BCG will provide an info session/Q&A specifically for advanced degree candidates, and then leave the rest of the evening for any interested students or postdocs to network to...
An Employer’s Perspective on Perfecting Your Pitch: An Application Strategy Workshop for Biomedical PhDs
May. 11, 2018—The BRET Office of Career Development is excited to welcome Heather Dillon from the Jackson Laboratory. This interactive workshop is for PhD students and postdocs who are interested in developing skills to effectively market themselves for postdoctoral or faculty positions at academic and non-profit research institutions. Learn strategies for conducting a productive job search, how...
PhD Career Connections: A Career in the Pharmaceutical Sciences: What I Do and Why I Like It
Apr. 9, 2018—PhD Career Connections presents: A Career in the Pharmaceutical Sciences: What I Do and Why I Like It Friday April 27, 2018 10:00-11:00am Light Hall 214 featuring Valerie Kramlinger, PhD Title: Scientist, Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism Role: Drug Metabolism Scientist for Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism in Cambridge, Massachusetts Registration Requested Valerie Kramlinger is a Scientist in...
Event: Applying for Industry Postdocs
Apr. 9, 2018—Join graduate student Alex Andrews for a brown bag lunch about applying for industry postdocs. Alex is completing his PhD in Cell & Developmental Biology this spring and will begin a postdoc at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in July. Alex will talk about his experience applying and interviewing for industry postdocs and take questions from session participants...
PhD Career Connections: Medical Science Liaisons
Feb. 27, 2018—PhD Career Connections presents: Medical Science Liaisons Friday, March 16, 2018 2:00-3:00pm Light Hall 214 featuring a panel with: Josh Neuman, PhD, Pediatric Endocrinology and Growth Hormone Disorder Medical Liaison at Novo Nordisk Tom Plucinak, PhD,Medical Science Liaison at GlaxoSmithKline Molly Seale, PhD, Medical Science Liaison Manager, Abbvie Registration is requested Josh Neuman, PhD Pediatric Endocrinology...
PhD Career Connections: Clinical Genetics, Information Technology, and Genetic Counseling
Jan. 18, 2018— PhD Career Connections presents: Clinical Genetics, Information Technology, and Genetic Counseling Thursday February 15, 2018 2:00-3:00pm Light Hall 214 featuring Gillian Hooker, PhD, Vice President of Clinical Development, Concert Genetics Registration is requested Gillian Hooker completed her PhD in Molecular Genetics at Yale University and her masters degree in Genetic Counseling at the Johns...
Save the Date! ASPIRE On the Road: Boston, MA, May 3-4, 2018
Jan. 9, 2018—ASPIRE on the Road will be taking trainees to visit Boston, MA. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will spend time with area biotechnology and pharma companies learning about career paths, hearing from key leadership, touring the facilities, and meeting with alumni. A maximum of 8 trainees will be selected to participate. Travel costs and accommodations will be covered by the ASPIRE Program for those selected to participate....